All Hallows Eve, Better Known As Halloween
All Hallows Eve, Halloween, and Night of the Dead are names for the festival on the last day of October. Celebrated for centuries, its roots are in ancient Celtic traditions. Today, it sometimes sparks debate, especially among Christians and others. People often wonder if we should celebrate it and why. Before exploring these questions, let's examine Halloween's history—its beginnings, significance, and how it developed.
Halloween started over 2,000 years ago with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced 'sow-in'). The Celts, from what is now Ireland, the UK, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and began the cold, dark winter, a time often linked to death. They believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred. On October 31, they celebrated Samhain, thinking the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. This is seen as the start of what we now know as Halloween.
One key factor was the spread of Christianity in Celtic regions. In the 9th century, the Catholic Church established November 1st as All Saints’ Day to honor saints and martyrs. The night before became known as All Hallows’ Eve, which later turned into Halloween.
Halloween has changed over the years, blending with other celebrations. At its heart, it honors the connection between the living and the dead. Many cultures remember and pay respects to those who have passed. Nowadays, Halloween is often seen as a fun holiday with costumes, trick-or-treating, and parties, but it still has a deeper spiritual meaning for some.
But why candy, you ask? Let's explore the sweet history of Halloween candy.
Surprisingly, Halloween candy is a relatively new staple of the Halloween holiday. It only first became popular and widely distributed in the 1920s and 1930s. Before this, Halloween was celebrated with homemade treats like popcorn balls, candied apples, and nuts. But as the holiday grew in popularity, and with the advent of mass production, store-bought candy began to take center stage.
It wasn't until the 1950s that Halloween candy truly became a major player in the holiday's celebrations. The post-war boom and the rise of suburbia created a perfect environment for trick-or-treating, and hence, the demand for Halloween candy skyrocketed. Candy manufacturers quickly recognized this trend and capitalized on it. They began to produce fun-sized versions of their popular candies, perfect for handing out to the throngs of children knocking on doors.
Today, Halloween candy is a multi-billion dollar industry. Each year, Americans spend approximately $2.6 billion on sweets for the holiday, making it the second largest commercial holiday in the U.S., after Christmas. From chocolate bars and gummies to lollipops and candy corn, the variety of Halloween candy available is staggering. And each year, new candies join the ranks of the traditional favorites, adding to the sweet excitement of the holiday.
So Should I celebrate Halloween or not? It's a question that has played on my mind over the years and led me on a journey of introspection, reassessment, and ultimately, a more mindful approach to the holiday season.
Why do I feel insecure about Halloween? Why am I unsure about celebrating it? As I thought more about it, I found it wasn't about ghosts, ghouls, or even candy (though candy is a factor!). The real issue was different. It wasn't about the holiday itself, but about myself.
I realized I overvalued holidays. I stressed over planning parties, spent money I didn’t have, and pushed myself too hard. Was this really what celebrating was meant to be? It was a wake-up call; I needed to rethink my approach to holidays.
Last year, there were no parties, costumes, or decorations. Just some good candy, a few fall movies, and hot cocoa. It was a big change from before, but it was needed. I felt a little sad I didn’t see the kids smile when we gave out candy, but I was okay with my choice.
I hope my experiences help you decide whether to celebrate Halloween or any holiday. It’s not just about following traditions or meeting society’s expectations. It’s about finding joy, peace, and meaning in these moments. If that means reflecting on how we celebrate, then that’s okay. Here’s to more thoughtful and enjoyable holiday celebrations!
Next time you enjoy your favorite Halloween candy, think about its journey to your treat bag. The history of Halloween candy shows how our society and traditions have changed. As long as kids (and adults) love sweets, Halloween candy will always be a big part of this spooky celebration.
“It’s not about the who, what, when, where and how. It’s about you.”